Taxpayers learn they have to pay $47,000 cost of vandalism to school

Investigators said the vandals dumped buckets of paint on floors, broke monitors and vending machines and sprayed fire extinguishers on lockers and in hallways. (Source: Leah Ellsworth/WAFB)

PRAIRIEVILLE, LA (WAFB) -
Officials said the price tag to clean up the mess made by vandals at a middle school was almost $50,000 and it’s a bill taxpayers are footing.

The Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Office arrested Krystopher Landix, 18, of Prairieville, a 14-year-old and a 12-year-old. They are accused of wrecking computers, security cameras, an intercom system, two-way radios, motion sensors and windows at Galvez Middle School in Prairieville in July.

The citizens of Ascension Parish will have to pay for the $47,000 worth of damage the trio is accused of causing.

School starts on Tuesday in Ascension Parish. Officials said Galvez Middle will open as scheduled.

Deputies said they found three buildings had been broken into and numerous windows had been shattered on July 30. Investigators said the vandals dumped buckets of paint on floors, broke monitors and vending machines and sprayed fire extinguishers on lockers and in hallways. They added there was also damage to the school's computer server and several surveillance cameras.

During the foot patrol, deputies happened upon Landix and it was later determined that two juveniles were allegedly also involved in damaging the school property.

Landix was booked into the Ascension Parish Jail on three counts of simple burglary, 37 counts of simple criminal damage to property, seven counts of criminal mischief and two counts of contributing to the delinquency of a minor. The 14-year-old and 12-year-old were booked into the Assumption Youth Detention Center on three counts of burglary, 33 counts of damage to property and three counts of criminal mischief.